The top brass of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has ordered the withdrawal of the food subsidy programme for military personnel from July 1, 2025, documents seen by Sunday Natio n reveal.
In the new plan, KDF seeks to transition from the current exchequer-funded lunch programme to the Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) system, which has since triggered disquiet among some military personnel.
In a directive dated January 17, 2025, and signed by Major General MN Hassan, KDF says the decision has been necessitated by the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the current system.
A senior military official, who spoke to Sunday Nation off the record due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the implementation of the new system is expected to save taxpayers between Sh2 billion and Sh3 billion annually.
The official said the current subsidy programme has leakages that continue to cost taxpayers dearly.
“Reference ‘A’ (an August 2023 document) directed the transition from the existing exchequer-funded lunch programme to the Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) system, necessitated by the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the former system,” states a memo seen by Sunday Nation.
The document adds: “Subsequently, reference ‘B’ (an October 2023 document) established a committee to develop and recommend modalities for the successful implementation of the PAYE system following consultations with various stakeholders.”
The document indicates that the committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Service Commanders Committee Meeting (SCCM) held on October 29, 2024.
A subsequent presentation on December 17, 2024, outlined the implementation strategy and timeliness for the PAYE system, which were reviewed and deliberated. But the plan has since been received with mixed reactions in barracks, with some military personnel, who spoke to Sunday Nation in confidence, feeling that the proposed system could be to their disadvantage.
Some have cited financial commitments, including loans, which they say may force them to go without meals if the system is implemented.
Previous attempts, including during the tenure of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Robert Kibochi, did not take off. KDF has since set out guidelines aimed at ensuring a seamless transition and effective implementation of the PAYE system.
The guidelines included the rollout of a “comprehensive sensitisation programme for all service personnel to enhance understanding of the PAYE system.”
The service commanders are also under instruction to prioritise the enhancement of the infrastructure and capacity for messing facilities during the second half of the 2024/2025 financial year, with plans for adequate resources in the 2025/2026 financial year for continued improvements.
“Establish management committees at Formation and Unit levels to oversee the operation of messing facilities,” the document adds.
The meeting also instructed the implementation of secure, convenient, and cost-effective cashless payment systems, such as mobile money Paybill numbers and Quick Data Processing (PDQ) machines.
“The system is to be deployed no later than March 31, 2025, to facilitate meal bookings and payments, ensuring accountability and efficiency. Conduct a thorough risk analysis to identify and mitigate factors that may hinder the system’s efficiency and effectiveness,” the document said.
It adds: “In view of the above, note that the PAYE system is scheduled to be operational on July 1, 2025. As such, you are required to fast-track preparations and guidance at paragraph 3. Accordingly, you are to update and liaise with DHQ Insp (Defence Headquarters) who are to prepare a status report to be submitted to this HQ no later than February 15, 2025.”
In an official response to Sunday Nation’s enquiries, the Ministry of Defence said the decision has been necessitated by the need to streamline budgetary allocations, efficiency in the use of government resources, as well as to facilitate access to a variety of meals that suit individual preferences.
The ministry further said that the move is aligned with the best military practices both regionally and internationally.
“It is important to note that the implementation of the new lunch feeding system will only affect Kenya Defence Forces service personnel in peacetime locations.
"Personnel in operations and on training will not be affected, as they will continue with their entitled scales,” the ministry said in response to our enquiries.
It said that the current exchequer feeding system is not cost-effective, as it does not offer flexibility of time, neither does it provide the convenience of a feeding place and further denies KDF service members a variety of meals to suit different individual preferences.
“Consequently, the system is faulted for loss of working hours due to long queues and duplication of ration scales when personnel are urgently assigned duties to different camps."
The utilisation of the Pay-As-You-Eat system will not only eliminate all the weaknesses of the exchequer-funded feeding programme but will also save the Ministry resources to fund other critical requirements in the long term.
Kenya Defense Forces officers during an operation at Mangai in Boni forest in Lamu County.
Photo credit: Kalume Kazungu | Nation Media Group
Meanwhile, the funds allocated to the exchequer feeding programme will be utilised to improve the existing messing facility infrastructure, acquisition of catering requirements and settling of pending ration and food bills,” the ministry said.
The ministry further revealed that Ration Cash Allowance was introduced into the KDF in the year 2000 when provision for the other meals (breakfast and dinner) was abolished.
A senior official, who spoke in confidence as he is not allowed to publicly comment, told Sunday Nation that the decision was made following a review of the officers’ payslips.
“Unfortunately, the implementation upon review of the payslip was not effected under General Kibochi. When the late General Francis Ogolla succeeded General Kibochi, he was advised against its immediate implementation,” said a senior officer aware of the developments.
