Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s flagship programme, the school feeding project dubbed Dishi na County, has officially added chapatis among the meals to be served to students.
This was announced on Thursday when the governor witnessed the installation of a chapati-making machine at Toi Primary Kitchen, Kibra.
Sakaja unveils chapati-making machine at Toi Primary, says it can produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour.
Photo credit: Pool
He said that chapatis will be distributed to schools on a coordinated schedule aligned to the program’s feeding calendar.
“We don’t do politics with the lives of the people that we serve. We don’t promise to be heard; we promise to deliver. We have been able to secure the machine and it is up and running,” Governor Sakaja said, adding that the arrival of the machine was another commitment fulfilled as the county continues to improve the quality and variety of meals offered through Dishi na County.
Sakaja unveils chapati-making machine at Toi Primary, says it can produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour.
Photo credit: Pool
More than 324,000 learners are currently benefiting from the subsidized program, with each student paying as little as Sh5 daily for the nutritious meal.
“A timetable has been put in place and each school will have its day to enjoy chapatis,” the governor said.
As schools open for the third term, the county is aiming to serve 100 million meals by the end of the year, a milestone that the governor described as significant for a programme that began despite criticism and speculations fueled by politics as well as court cases.
Sakaja unveils chapati-making machine at Toi Primary, says it can produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour.
Photo credit: Pool
“It is a dream come true. We have moved from a situation where one in every four pupils could miss school because of lack of food to now feeding more than 324,000 learners. Some children even carry food home.”
“It has not been easy to see the Dishi na County program succeed through doubts, politics and court cases, among other challenges. Today, we are feeding over 324,000 learners across all 17 sub-counties,” Governor Sakaja Johnson said.
He also announced plans to expand the project to include public day secondary schools, as well as the schools in the informal areas.
Sakaja unveils chapati-making machine at Toi Primary, says it can produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour.
Photo credit: Pool
“The other frontier is secondary schools, and for informal schools, a plan is underway. We shall be able to deliver. All we need is patience, planning and execution,” he said.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for Health and Nutrition, Suzanne Silantoi, the machine will boost the county’s move in attaining 100 million meals served.
Sakaja unveils chapati-making machine at Toi Primary, says it can produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour.
Photo credit: Pool
“We are approaching 100 million meals served, but beyond that number are hundreds of thousands of children who can count on a hot meal every school day. Adding chapati gives them something familiar and exciting to look forward to while we continue improving the program,” Ms Silantoi said.
